cantdecide

Hi! You are almost my twin. I'm 31, mother of 3, and live in Utah. I was just banded on Tuesday and I didn't know ANYONE who had gotten this done. It is a hard decision. I had about 100 lbs to lose and have lost 13 with the pre-op diet and since being banded. My insurance didn't cover it because my BMI was 39 with no co-morbidities, but I was just sick of constantly yo-yo dieting and hating my body. I chose to go with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and it cost me $6000. I'll have to pay for fills which will probably be another $1000 over the next few years. It is a big investment, but it was worth it to me. If you have any questions feel free to message me. Good luck!

I was just banded on 1/25/11 and am doing pretty well. I got to meet Kim while I was there and she was great. I'm having a hard time deciphering between hunger pains and gas pains, but it doesn't really matter since I'm still on Clear liquids for a while. I'll check out your blog! Melissa

I'm one day ahead of you (banded on the 25th) and I felt like you do yesterday. It hurt to get up and down, sleeping was uncomfortable. But I woke up today feeling a lot better. I sat up to get out of bed and was surprised that it didn't hurt as much anymore. I'm still sore but it is a lot better. Today the gas is moving through my body but it is not too uncomfortable. Feel better and take care of yourself! I took my pain meds through this morning too.

Just to push the issue a little bit--what if one has a problem with binge eating and then feeling so full and feeling bad about themselves and so they throw up. Wouldn't the band restrict how much the person could binge? And knowing that throwing up is very, very dangerous with the band, might it prevent them from purging. I seem to remember seeing someone's lapband blog saying that it cured her bulimia. Thanks!

Any thoughts about lapband as a treatment for bulimia?

Im getting banded the 25th. My pre-op is 2 weeks of 2 shakes plus one lean cuisine a day. So far not too bad.

Again, it is best to do your research, but I'm getting banded in Mexico in a week and a half after much research. My husband's aunt was banded at the OCC and said it was a great experience. They use the latest realize band. Just do your research, but I think the big places are very reputable.

My surgery is on the 25th and I'm on day 4 of the pre-op diet. Today was probably the easiest, though I did take a bite of my son's cookie without thinking (I spit it out). The first few days I was trying to do it without extra vegi Soup or vegetables (which are permitted on my diet if hungry), but yesterday I had some soup and it made a difference. I really hope these next 10 days fly by. Are either of you getting banded at the Obesity Control Center?

Okay, sharing this is a big deal for me since I'm not telling anyone, but mine is thebandedtherapist.blogspot.com

HI Amy--I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you since I'm not going to be banded for two more weeks, but I wanted to reach out and connect with someone else from Utah. Where do you get your fills? Where and when were you banded? If it is easier, email me at lapbandtherapist@gmail.com. Thanks! Melissa

It seems that there are a lot of Body Bugg users on here and I'm considering getting one (will be banded in 2 weeks). I'm wondering if anyone uses it with their iphone, how well it works, and if it is worth it. I find the bodybugg website difficult to navigate and I would love some product reviews. I already record my calories consumed in the my iphone with myfitnesspal. I'm hoping to just do the same with the bodybugg app. Thanks!

Me too me too!! I'm so excited to find you all. I'm LDS and getting banded in TJ with Dr. Ortiz on 1/25/11. Kim--maybe we'll run into each other! Are you from Utah? I'm scared about the Mexico thing too. How did you decide on Dr. Ortiz. I hope we can all stay in touch!

Me too! January 25th. I'm terrified. A little for the surgery but mostly that I will not be successful after taking such extreme measures. It would be great to keep in touch with other Jan 25th bandsters. I start my pre-op diet January 12th.

Thanks for the input everyone. Just a few clarifications. Of course one of the reasons I'm getting this done in Mexico is cost. However, I have looked at other surgeons and am more impressed by Dr. Ortiz's experience than others. Also, he is putting in the Realize-C band. I've already arranged follow-up care with a lap-band surgeon here in town who will be my fill doctor as well as be available for any possible emergencies. He works with a lot of Dr. Ortiz's patients and said he hasn't seen any problems. I really hope I'm covering all my bases!

Hi all--I am planning on getting banded in January by Dr. Ortiz and was told he would use the Johnson & Johnson Realize X-3 band. Is this the one everyone on here is talking about? I did a search for X-3 and didn't really come up with anything. Thanks!

I've scheduled my surgery for January but keep going back and forth. For the most part, I'm totally ready to do it, but there is a part of me that is scared to death. I'm 31 years old, mother of three boys 5,3, and 1, work 3 14 hour days. I'm 5'9 and right now (about my highest) I weight 271. In the last 5 years I haven't been below 238, and in the last 10 years, haven't been below 219. I'm pretty good at losing weight when I get up the motivation but then I gain it all back really quickly. When it comes down to it, I'm just scared that I won't be able to lose the weight and keep it off. I'm self-pay and worried that it won't work because I always fall off the wagon. Feedback?

Thanks everyone--didn't mean to cause a controversy! I booked my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in January. The tipping point was calling a recommended surgeon here in Utah who only charges $200 for fills (as opposed to the $325 USA Fill Centers would charge). When I asked his nurse about surgeons in Mexico she said that Dr. Ortiz trained their staff. My worst fear is that I'll "eat around the band" and it won't work, but I'm going to work my butt off (hopefully literally) to lose the weight.

I just scheduled Lap-band surgery for the first week of January with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I've struggled with weight since puberty and am a chronic dieter. I am pretty good at losing 20-30 lbs but gain it back as soon as I relax a little. I am married and have three boys (5, 3, 1) and after having my last son last summer I did the HcG diet and lost about 40 lbs. I maintained most of the summer but when I stepped on the scale today to get a pre-op starting weight I was devestated to see that I've gained it all back. So my starting weight is 278 (ouch) and that is about the highest I've ever been. I'd love a mentor/buddy who has been through the surgery and can give me some motivation and tips. I'm terrified about the surgery and terrified it won't work. Thanks!

Thanks everyone. Dr. Ortiz was going to do the Johnson and Johnson X3 (I think). Is that what you all are getting? Or is it an older model?

I tend to be pretty skeptical of anything, so I'm hoping some people here can help me. I've gone over these message boards over and over and am really excited about the possibility of getting lapband. My insurance doesn't cover it and my BMI is about 38. I'm thinking about Dr. Ortiz in Mexico but am still a little worried about getting surgery in Mexico. I've read great things about Dr. Ortiz on here, but I've also been warned that those things may have been written by patient coordinators. How do I find out who is the real deal? I want real answers from real people about the safety and effectiveness of this surgery. Any suggestions?